Content access in a media network environment

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a method of presenting content data includes: receiving at a client in a hub network a present request indicating locked content data; checking a license corresponding to said locked content data to determine if said license permits said client to present said locked content data; and presenting said locked content data through a presentation component connected to said client; wherein said license of said locked content data is bound to said hub network.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/434,774, filed Dec. 17, 2002, and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/471,823, filed May 20, 2003, the disclosuresof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Audio and video media content, such as music and movies, is becomingincreasingly available in various digital forms, such as in electronicfiles stored on optical storage (e.g., CDs and DVDs) or magnetic storage(e.g., hard disks). The digital content provides both high quality ofreproduction and convenient access for users. Another benefit of digitalcontent is that it is typically easy to create a high quality copy ofthe content. Users enjoy accessing the digital content through variousdevices in multiple locations. However, content owners are oftenconcerned with uncontrolled and unauthorized copying and resultingpotential problems, such as piracy.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for managingdevices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, amethod of presenting content data includes: receiving at a client in ahub network a present request indicating locked content data; checking alicense corresponding to said locked content data to determine if saidlicense permits said client to present said locked content data; andpresenting said locked content data through a presentation componentconnected to said client; wherein said license of said locked contentdata is bound to said hub network.

In another implementation, a method of presenting content data includes:receiving at a server in a hub network a present request indicatinglocked content data and a client in said hub network; checking a licensecorresponding to said locked content data to determine if said licensepermits said server to present said locked content data through saidclient; and presenting said locked content data by streaming data tosaid client; wherein said license of said locked content data is boundto said hub network.

In another implementation, a method of copying content data includes:receiving in a hub network a copy request indicating locked contentdata; and copying said locked content data to produce a copy of saidlocked content data; wherein said locked content data has acorresponding license that is bound to said hub network.

In another implementation, a method of distributing content dataincludes: receiving from a providing device in a hub network at areceiving device a copy of locked content data; requesting a new licensefor said copy of locked content data; and receiving said new license.

In another implementation, a method of distributing content dataincludes: receiving at a server in a hub network from a device a requestfor a new license for a copy of locked content data; checking a rootlicense stored on said server to determine if said root license permitssaid server to provide a new license for said copy of locked contentdata; and creating said new license according to said root license;sending said new license to said device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-16 illustrate one example of configuration and operation of oneimplementation of a media network environment.

FIG. 17 shows a representation of one implementation of a media networkenvironment.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of one implementation of adding a device to ahub network as a member device.

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart of one implementation of removing a devicefrom a hub network as a member device.

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart of one implementation of disconnecting amember device from a hub network.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart of one implementation of reconnecting a memberdevice to a hub network.

FIG. 22 shows a representation of one implementation of a discreteinstance of content.

FIG. 23 shows a representation of one implementation of a bound instanceand a sub-copy.

FIG. 24 shows a flowchart of one implementation of binding a discreteinstance to a hub network.

FIG. 25 shows a flowchart of one implementation of freeing a boundinstance from a hub network.

FIG. 26 shows a flowchart of one implementation of updating andrefreshing a license.

FIGS. 27-29 illustrate an example of disconnecting a device from a hubnetwork and the operation of expiration periods.

FIG. 30 shows a flowchart of one implementation of a client devicepresenting content data stored in a sub-copy on the client device.

FIG. 31 shows a flowchart of one implementation of streaming contentdata from a bound instance on a server to a client.

FIG. 32 shows a flowchart of one implementation of creating a sub-copy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for managingdevices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, acollection of devices is interconnected in a media network environmentdefining multiple hub networks of client-server relationships. In a hubnetwork, a server provides access to content to clients by streamingcontent or sending copies to the clients. The server and clients worktogether to manage membership in the hub network, connection anddisconnection with the hub network, content distribution in the hubnetwork, and the state of content in the hub network.

In general, the following terms are used herein with the followingmeanings. “Content” refers to the audio and/or video of an item ofmedia, such as a movie or song. One item of content is one particularitem of media, such as one movie. “Content data” refers to the datarepresenting an item of content. An “instance” is a logical collectionof data including the content data for an item of content. Accordingly,content data of an instance of content is, for example, moved and played(rendered). “Play” and “present” refer to rendering and displaying thecontent data of an instance of content or otherwise presenting thecontent data according to the type of content (e.g., presenting audioand video for a movie or presenting audio for a song). Similarly,“presenting an instance” refers to rendering and displaying the contentdata of an instance. A “license” refers to the data storing thepermissions for using content data, such as whether content data ispermitted to be played or copied by a device. Descriptions herein ofwhat can and cannot be done with an instance or content data refer topermissions set by a license associated with the instance or contentdata, as appropriate.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE

FIGS. 1-16 illustrate one example of configuration and operation of oneimplementation of a media network environment.

In FIG. 1, a user Jim has established a home media network environment100 including two devices: a PVR (personal video recorder) 105 connectedto a television 110. The PVR 105 is a media network compliant device,meaning that the PVR 105 operates according to the processes defined fora device that is a member of a hub network. The PVR 105 includes storagefor storing copies of content (e.g., as electronic files stored on ahard disk) and is a server device. As a server device, the PVR 105 isthe server for a hub network and can provide content to client devicesthat are members in the hub network. As a server, the PVR 105 alsodefines a local environment (not shown). In this example, the localenvironment for the PVR 105 is defined as a physical area relative tothe position of the PVR 105 (e.g., determined by round trip packettiming or GPS information). The PVR 105 is also a client device. As aclient device, the PVR 105 can render content directly or through aconnected terminal device, such as through the connected television 110.As both a client and server device, the PVR 105 is a member of a hubnetwork as the server for the hub network and as a client in the hubnetwork. In FIG. 1, the PVR 105 is marked with “HN1” to indicate thatthe PVR 105 is a client device for hub network 1 (HN1). The PVR 105 isalso marked with “HN1*” to indicate that the PVR 105 is the server inHN1.

The television 110 is not a media network compliant device, and socannot become a member of a hub network. However, a non-compliant devicecan be a terminal device for a hub network, receiving data forpresentation (e.g., displaying the video and outputting the audio for amovie), without storing the data for the content (beyond transiently).Accordingly, the PVR 105 renders content by outputting data for thecontent for presentation to the connected television 110.

As a server device, the PVR 105 initially sets up the hub network HN1.The PVR 105 checks for other compliant devices connected to the PVR 105.Before adding a device as a member to the hub network HN1, the PVR 105authenticates a device, confirming the identity of the device, andauthorizes an authenticated device, confirming that the device is acompliant device. If the PVR 105 does not authenticate and authorize adevice, the PVR 105 does not add that device to the hub network HN1. InFIG. 1, the PVR 105 is the only compliant device. The PVR 105 addsitself to the hub network as the server and as a client. The television110 is not a compliant device, and so the PVR 105 does not add thetelevision 110 as a member.

In FIG. 2, Jim has purchased movie A and movie B, and recordedtelevision program C. In this example, Jim purchased movies A and B aselectronic files downloaded from a network 115 connected to the PVR 105.Jim recorded program C as an electronic file from a broadcast receivedby an integrated receiver of the PVR 105.

As discussed below, an instance that is compliant with hub networkoperation is in one of two exclusive states: discrete or bound. Adiscrete instance is independent of any hub network and can be played orpresented through any compliant device (according to the license of thediscrete instance). However, a compliant device cannot make a usablecopy of a discrete instance. A discrete instance includes locked contentdata and a discrete license. The locked content data of the discreteinstance is referred to as the “discrete version” of the locked contentdata. The locked content data is locked by being protected fromunauthorized access, such as by encryption. A bound instance is bound toone hub network. The bound instance is one logical instance representedby locked content data and corresponding licenses stored on the serverof the hub network and on zero or more of the clients of the hubnetwork. The locked content data stored by the server is the source forcopies of the content data in the hub network and is the “sourceversion.” Copies of the source version content data are stored onclients and are “sub-copy versions” (though some or all of the data inthe discrete version, the source version, and/or any of the sub-copyversions can be the same). A bound instance can only be played orpresented through a compatible compliant device that is a member of thathub network. Members of that hub network can make sub-copies of thecontent data of a bound instance.

A server device can change the state of a discrete instance fromdiscrete to bound, disabling the discrete instance and enabling a boundinstance. A disabled instance is rendered unusable (e.g., throughdeletion or encryption of the content data of the instance or disablingthe license(s) for the instance). A server device can also change thestate of a bound instance from bound to discrete, disabling the boundinstance (including any corresponding sub-copies) and enabling adiscrete instance. In addition, the server for a hub network managesroot responsibility for a bound instance. Root responsibility includesissuing and managing the licenses for the content data of the boundinstance in the hub network. Accordingly, the server holds a rootlicense defining permissions for presenting the bound instance and formanaging the content data and licenses of the bound instance in the hubnetwork. When a new sub-copy is created, a license is also created forthe sub-copy from the root license. An instance of content that is notcompliant with hub network operation is a non-compliant instance. Acompliant device will play or copy a non-compliant instance according towhatever recognized copy control information may be associated with theinstance.

In FIGS. 2-16, letter labels indicate the versions of locked contentdata of instances of content. The version of the locked content data,and so also the state of the instance corresponding to the lockedcontent data, is indicated by variations of the letter. Underliningindicates a discrete version of content. For example, a discrete versionof the movie A is indicated by “A”. An uppercase letter withoutunderlining indicates a source version of locked content data, stored ona server. For example, the source version of the movie A is indicated by“A”. A lowercase letter indicates a sub-copy version of locked contentdata. For example, a sub-copy version of the movie A is indicated by“a”. The versions also have corresponding licenses (not shown in FIGS.2-16): a discrete version has a discrete license, a source version has aroot license, and a sub-copy version has a sub-copy license.

Returning to FIG. 2, Jim introduces the movies A and B to the hubnetwork HN1 through the PVR 105 by storing the discrete versions A and Bin the PVR 105. The PVR 105 also stores a discrete version C of theprogram C.

In FIG. 3, Jim binds the discrete instances to the hub network HN1. ThePVR 105 changes the state of the discrete instances for the discreteversions A, B, and C to be bound instances, and so creates sourceversions A, B, and C. The PVR 105 disables or deletes the discreteversions A, B, and C.

In FIG. 4, Jim buys a car 120 that includes a compliant device. The car120 is a server device (e.g., including storage) and a client device(e.g., including audio and video systems). The car 120 establishes asecond hub network HN2, with the car 120 as the server (indicated by“HN2*”) and as a member client (indicated by “HN2”). The car 120 definesa second local environment (not shown) based on relative distance fromthe car 120 (e.g., the car 120 includes components that determine roundtrip packet time or that provide GPS information defining the positionof the car 120). In FIG. 4, the car 120 and the PVR 105 are physicallyclose to one another and so the local environment of the car 120 issubstantially coextensive with the local environment of the PVR 105.

In FIG. 5, Jim connects the two hub networks HN1 and HN2. Each of thePVR 105 and the car 120 includes wireless network capability. Jim causesthe PVR 105 and the car 120 to establish a wireless connection. When thePVR 105 and the car 120 detect one another, each authenticates andauthorizes the other to be added as member devices. Accordingly, the PVR105 adds the car 120 as a member to the hub network HN1 (indicated bythe “HN1” label added to the car 120), and the car 120 adds the PVR 105as a member to the hub network HN2 (indicated by the “HN2” label addedto the PVR 105).

In FIG. 6, Jim introduces more content to the second hub network HN2.Jim buys a compliant instance of a movie X stored on an article ofcompliant media, such as a compliant optical disc. Compliant mediaoperates according to the processes defined for content that can beingested into (made bound) and freed from (made discrete) a hub network.In particular, compliant media allows an instance stored on thecompliant media to be disabled and enabled according to changes in stateof the instance (e.g., when changing between discrete and bound). Inaddition, compliant media is configured so that devices will not createa complete bit-by-bit copy of the data stored on the compliant media,without authorization. Because the instance stored on the compliantoptical disc is compliant and has not been bound to any hub network yet,the instance is a discrete instance. Jim inserts the compliant opticaldisc into the server device of the car 120 and causes the car 120 tobind the discrete instance of the movie X to the hub network HN2. Thecar 120 creates a bound instance of the movie X and stores a sourceversion of locked content data and root license as part of the boundinstance in the storage of the car 120 and disables the discreteinstance on the compliant optical disc (e.g., by storing data to theoptical disc). After the discrete instance on the compliant optical dischas been disabled, the discrete version of the locked content data ofthe disabled instance cannot be played or presented on another device(as described below, in another implementation, when a discrete instanceis bound to a hub network, the then-disabled discrete instance can stillbe played by member devices in the hub network to which the discreteinstance was bound). In FIG. 6, the source version of the movie X isindicated by the “X” label added to the car 120. Similarly, Jimpurchases and downloads a compliant instance of a song Y from network115 and causes the car to bind the instance to the hub network HN2. InFIG. 6, the source version of the song Y is indicated by the “Y” labeladded to the car 120.

In FIG. 7, Jim accesses content through the hub networks. Jim decides towatch the movie X through the PVR 105 and connected television 110. As amember device of the hub network HN2, the PVR 105 can access the movie Xthat is bound to the hub network HN2. The PVR 105 requests a copy of themovie X and the car 120, as the server for the hub network HN2, providesa sub-copy version of the movie X to the PVR 105. The PVR 105 stores thesub-copy version of the movie X (indicated by the “x” label added to thePVR 105) and presents the movie X through the connected television 110.Similarly, Jim also decides to listen to the song Y through the PVR 105,and so the PVR 105 stores a sub-copy version of the song Y (indicated bythe label “y” added to the PVR 105).

Jim later decides to watch the movie A through the car 120. The PVR 105,as the server for the hub network HN1, provides a sub-copy version ofthe movie A to the car 120. The car 120 stores the sub-copy version ofthe movie A (indicated by the “a” label added to the car 120) andpresents the movie A.

In FIG. 8, Jim buys a television 125 that is a compliant device. Thetelevision 125 is a client device, but is not a server device.Accordingly, the television 125 does not form another hub network.

In FIG. 9, Jim connects the television 125 to the hub networks HN1 andHN2. The television 125 supports both wired connections and wirelessconnections. Jim causes the PVR 105 and the television 125 to establisha wired connection and causes the car 120 and the television 125 toestablish a wireless connection. When the PVR 105 detects the television125, the PVR 105 authenticates and authorizes the television 125 to beadded as a member device. Accordingly, the PVR 105 adds the television125 as a member to the hub network HN1 (indicated by the “HN1” labeladded to the television 125). Similarly, the car 120 authenticates,authorizes, and adds the television 125 as a member to the hub networkHN2 (indicated by the “HN2” label added to the television 125).

In FIG. 10, Jim accesses content through the television 125. Jim decidesto watch the recorded program C through the television 125. As a memberdevice of the hub network HN1, the television 125 can access the programC that is bound to the hub network HN1. The television 125 requests thatthe PVR 105 stream the program C to the television 125. The PVR 105streams the program C to the television 125 using the source version C(indicated by the dashed line labeled “c” between the PVR 105 and thetelevision 125). The television 125 does not store a copy of the programC (other than transiently in the process of presenting the streamedprogram). Similarly, Jim decides to watch the movie X through thetelevision 125, and so the car 120 streams the movie X to the televisionusing the source version X (indicated by the dashed line labeled “x”between the car 120 and the television 125).

In FIG. 11, Jim decides to free or unbind the song Y from the hubnetwork HN2 to make the song Y portable. Jim requests that the car 120create a discrete instance of the song Y. The car 120 disables the boundinstance of the song Y, disabling the source version and any sub-copyversions of the song Y (indicated by the removal of the label “y” fromthe PVR 105 and the label “Y” from the car 120). The car 120 creates adiscrete instance of the song Y and stores a discrete version (indicatedby the label “Y” added to the car 120) on compliant media (e.g., acompliant hard disk or a compliant recordable disc).

In FIG. 12, Jim removes the song Y from the hub network HN2. Jimconnects a compliant portable storage device 130 (e.g., a removablememory card) to the car 120. Jim moves the discrete version of the songY from the car 120 to portable storage 130 (indicated by the “Y” labelremoved from the car 120 and added to the portable storage 130) andconnects the portable storage 130 to a portable music player 135. Theportable music player 135 is a compliant device and is not a member of ahub network, but the player 135 can still play the song Y from thediscrete version Y because the discrete instance for the discreteversion Y is not bound to a hub network.

In FIG. 13, Jim decides to unbind the movie B from the hub network HN1to give the movie B to a friend Sally. Jim requests that the car 120create a discrete instance of the movie. The PVR 105 has the sourceversion B and so the car 120 passes the request to the PVR 105. The PVR105 disables the bound instance of the movie B (indicated by the removalof the label “B” from the PVR 105). The PVR 105 creates a discreteinstance including a discrete version B of the locked content data andmoves the discrete version B to the car 120 (indicated by the label “B”added to the car 120).

In FIG. 14, Jim drives the car 120 to his friend Sally's home. When Jimdrives away from his home, the car 120 leaves the media networkenvironment 100 and enters Sally's media network environment 140. In oneimplementation, the server device for a hub network monitors the memberdevices of the hub network and determines when a member device has leftthe local environment. As discussed above, in this example, the localenvironment for the PVR 105 and for the car 120 is defined by physicallocation. When the car 120 leaves, the car 120 leaves the local networkenvironment of the PVR 105, and the car 120 takes the local environmentof the car 120 away from the PVR 105 and television 125. As the serverof the hub network HN1, the PVR 105 recognizes that the car 120 has leftthe local environment because the car 120 fails to report its physicallocation to the PVR 105 or when the car 120 reports a physical locationto the PVR 105 that is outside the boundaries of the local environment100. Similarly, as the server of the hub network HN2, the car 120recognizes that the PVR 105 and the television 125 have “left” the localenvironment of the car 120 (i.e., by being left behind).

When the car 120 leaves, the car 120 creates a disconnection in the hubnetworks HN1 and HN2. As a client in the hub network HN1, the car 120monitors an expiration period for each of the sub-copy versions receivedthrough the hub network HN1. The period is a mechanism in the licensefor the sub-copy version for controlling how long a sub-copy version canbe used without a connection between the client storing the sub-copyversion and the server managing the bound instance. When the periodexpires (e.g., as measured by a secure clock in the client), thedisconnected client storing the sub-copy version disables the sub-copyversion. In this example, the period is 15 days, (indicated by the “⁻15”superscript in the label “a⁻¹⁵” of the car 120). Similarly, as a clientin the hub network HN2, the PVR 105 monitors the expiration period forsub-copy versions received through the hub network HN2 (indicated by the“⁻¹⁵” superscript in the label “x⁻¹⁵” of the PVR 105).

In Sally's media network environment 140, Sally has a game console 145and a connected television 150. The game console 145 is a compliantdevice and is both a server device and a client device. The television150 is not a compliant device, and serves as a terminal device forpresenting content from the game console 145. The game console 145defines a hub network HN3 and acts as the server for the hub network HN3(indicated by the label “HN3*” on game console 145) and as a client inthe hub network HN3 (indicated by the label “HN3” on game console 145).As a server for a hub network, the game console 145 defines a localenvironment (not shown). Movies L and M and song N are bound to the hubnetwork HN3, and the game console 145 stores source versions of themovies L and M (indicated by labels “L” and “M” on game console 145) anda source version of the song N (indicated by label “N” on game console145).

In FIG. 15, the next day, Jim connects the car 120 to Sally's gameconsole 145 and gives the discrete instance of the movie B to Sally. Jimand Sally do not cause the car 120 to join the hub network HN3 as amember or cause the game console 145 to join the hub network HN2 as amember. To give the discrete instance of the movie B to Sally, Jimcauses the car 120 to move the discrete version from the car 120 to thegame console (indicated by the removal of the label “B” from the car120). Sally causes the game console 145 to bind the discrete instance ofthe movie B to the hub network HN3. The game console 145 disables thediscrete instance of the movie B and creates a bound instance of themovie B, storing a source version and root license in the storage of thegame console 145 (indicated by the label “B” added to the game console145).

Because it is the next day, and the car 120 has not reconnected to thehub networks HN1 or HN2, the clocks of the car 120 and the PVR 105 areone day closer to the end of the expiration periods for the sub-copyversions a and x and so one day less remains before the periods expire(indicated by the labels changing to “a⁻¹⁴” on the car 120 and “x⁻¹⁴” onthe PVR 105).

In FIG. 16, Jim returns home in his car 120. When the car 120 leaves,the car 120 disconnects from the game console 145. When the car 120enters Jim's media network environment 100, the car 120 connects to thePVR 105 and the television 125. The car 120 has returned to the localenvironment of the PVR 105 and brought back the local environment of thecar 120 to the PVR 105 and the television 125. When the car 120reconnects to the PVR 105, the PVR 105, as the server for the hubnetwork HN1, resets the expiration period for the sub-copy version a ofthe movie A stored on the car 120 (indicated by changing the label“a⁻¹⁴” to “a” on the car 120). Similarly, the car 120, as the server forthe hub network HN2, resets the expiration period for the sub-copyversion x of the movie X stored on the PVR 105 (indicated by changingthe label “x⁻¹⁴” to “x” on the PVR 105).

In this example, Jim was able to obtain instances of content and bindthe instances in the hub networks of his home media network environment.Jim was able to present the content and make copies within the medianetwork environment. When Jim freed instances of content from the medianetwork environment, the instances were removed. In this way, Jim wasable to use his content throughout the media network environment whilethe instances of content were bound in the media network environment,and then remove the instances of content when he wanted the content toleave the media network environment.

Configuration and Operation of Media Network Environments

FIGS. 17-33 illustrate the configuration and operation of hub networksin a media network environment.

Network Configuration

A media network environment includes one or more hub networks, each hubnetwork having a respective local environment, some or all of which mayoverlap or be coextensive. The local environment is defined as a limitedarea such that a compliant device can determine whether the device is inor out of the local environment. For example, one local environment canbe defined in terms of physical location (e.g., by calculating the roundtrip time for packets to travel from server to client, or usinggeographical positioning data from a GPS system integral to the device),while another local environment is defined in terms of networkaddressing information (e.g., using IP address and/or subnetinformation) or logical area (e.g., evaluating network configurationusing the number of gateways or routers traversed by a packet). A localenvironment is defined in terms relative to the server of the hubnetwork (e.g., a 100 meter radius circle with the server at the center).As the conditions of the server change (e.g., the server moves), thelocal environment may also change. As discussed below, a compliantdevice can join a hub network while in the local environment of the hubnetwork, and when the device leaves the local environment, the device isdisconnected from the hub network (though the device may still be amember). If a device can still maintain a network connection (e.g., awireless connection) even after leaving the local environment, thedevice is still treated as disconnected while outside the localenvironment.

A media network environment includes one or more devices. In oneimplementation, a device is a self-contained software application,hardware component, or a combination thereof. For example, one computersystem can include multiple hardware and/or software devices. Eachdevice in a media network environment is either a media networkcompliant device (a compliant device) or is not (a non-compliantdevice). A compliant device operates according to the rules defined fora media network environment and a hub network. A compliant device can bea member of a hub network, such as a server or a client device. Anon-compliant device, such as a terminal device, cannot be a member of ahub network in a media network environment. A non-compliant device caninteract with a hub network, such as receiving content as output datafrom a hub network member device, as described below. However, anon-compliant device cannot decrypt and render a compliant copy ofcontent.

A hub network includes one or more member devices. Each member device ina hub network is a server, a client, or both. For example, a memberdevice can include server and client functionality in the same physicalsystem. Each hub network has one server. Each client is connected to theserver, directly or through networked connections. In this way, a hubnetwork follows a hub and spoke or star topology with the server at thecenter. Multiple server devices can be members in the same hub network,with one server device acting as the server for the hub network and theadditional server devices acting as clients of the hub network's server(through their client functionality).

The server for a hub network is the focal point of the hub network andmanages many aspects of the control of the hub network. A server managesroot responsibility for bound instances of content and provides thecontent to client members in the hub network. A server stores the sourceversion of the locked content data and the corresponding root license ofa bound instance. A server provides a sub-copy version of locked contentdata for a bound instance to a client or streams data of a sourceversion of locked content data to a client. A server manages instances,handles licensing, administers network membership, monitors connectionand disconnection of devices to the hub network, and performs timeadministration. A server defines the local environment of the hubnetwork. As discussed below, a server binds instances of content to ahub network by shifting the state of an instance from discrete (externalto the hub network) to bound (internal to the hub network), and a serverfrees instances from a hub network by shifting the state of an instancefrom bound to discrete.

The clients in a hub network play or present content data from instancesof content (e.g., by decrypting and rendering content data stored in aversion of the locked data of an instance). A client device receives asub-copy version of locked content data and a sub-copy license for abound instance from the server or receives streamed data from theserver. A client device includes storage for storing sub-copy versions(a storage client device) or does not store sub-copy versions (anon-storage client device). A client device presents content datadirectly through integrated components or through a connected terminaldevice. In another implementation, a client device can also streamcontent data from a sub-copy version to another client device that is amember of the same hub network.

A terminal device is for presentation of content and is not a member ofa hub network. A terminal device is connected to a member device andreceives data for presentation, such as output video and audio data. Aterminal device may provide other functions as well for services apartfrom the media network environment.

When a media network environment includes two or more hub networks, someor all of the hub networks may overlap. Two hub networks overlap whenboth of the hub networks include the same device or devices. A devicebelonging to two hub networks spans the hub networks and is a spanningdevice. A spanning device stores (or can store) content data forinstances bound to each of the hub networks. Accordingly, the spanningdevice can present content bound to multiple respective hub networks (abound instance is bound to only one hub network). In one implementation,however, a spanning device spans multiple hub networks only in the samelocal environment. In this case, if a device becomes a member of hubnetworks in different local environments, the device will only presentcontent from the hub network to which the device has been most recentlyconnected. In another implementation, a spanning device may span hubnetworks in different local environments and play content from any ofthe spanning device's hub networks (subject to license requirements,such as refreshing, as discussed below).

The overlapping hub networks provide a flexible environment for managingthe use and copying of content. Each server manages the devices andcontent in the server's hub network and each client operates incompliance with the rules of the hub network. As a result, a user canpresent, move, and copy content data through the media networkenvironment in a convenient manner and at the same time thepresentation, copying, and moving of the content data is controlled toreflect the licensing guidelines set for a licensing authority (e.g., bythe content owner). In addition, the management of each hub network isgrounded in the server of the hub network.

FIG. 17 shows a representation of one implementation of a media networkenvironment 1700. The media network environment includes two overlappinghub networks HN1 and HN2, with two respective and substantiallycoextensive local environments (not shown).

The media network environment 1700 includes several devices: aserver/client device 1705 connected to a terminal device 1710, a serverdevice 1715, a storage client device 1720, a non-storage client device1725, a storage device 1730, and a player device 1735. The server/clientdevice 1705, the server device 1715, the storage client device 1720, thenon-storage client device 1725, and the storage device 1730 arecompliant devices. The terminal device 1710 and the player device 1735are non-compliant devices.

The server/client device 1705 and the server device 1715 are servers forrespective hub networks. The server/client device 1705 acts as both aserver and a client. The server device 1715 acts as a server, but not asa client (e.g., does not decrypt and render content).

The terminal device 1710 is for presentation of content data from aconnected device, such as a television. The terminal device 1710 doesnot store content data bound to the hub network.

The storage client device 1720 and the non-storage client device 1725are client devices. As client devices, the storage client device 1720and the non-storage client device 1725 present content data throughintegrated media components (e.g., audio and video outputs). As notedabove, the server/client device 1705 is also a client device butpresents content data through the connected terminal device 1710. Thestorage client device 1720 includes storage for storing sub-copyversions of content data. The storage client 1720 presents content datafor sub-copy versions stored in the storage client 1720 or content datareceived as streaming data from a server (e.g., the server/client device1705). The non-storage client 1725 does not store sub-copy versions ofcontent data to present. The non-storage client 1725 presents contentdata received as streaming data from a server (e.g., the server device1715). In another implementation, all client devices are non-storageclients devices. In this case, if a device has storage for bound contentdata, the device is a server or server/client device.

The server/client device 1705 is the server for a hub network HN1,indicated by the “HN1*” label on the server/client 1705. Theserver/client device 1705 and the storage client device 1720 are clientsin the hub network HN1, indicated by the “HN1” label. The terminaldevice 1710 is connected to the server/client device 1705 for presentingcontent data from the server/client device 1705. The terminal device1710 is not a member of the hub network HN1. The server device 1715 isthe server for a hub network HN2, indicated by the “HN2*” label on theserver device 1715. The server/client device 1705, the storage clientdevice 1720, and the non-storage client device 1725 are clients in thehub network HN2, indicated the by the “HN2” label. The non-storageclient device 1725 does not store sub-copy versions of content data, butinstead receives streamed data from the server device 1715, indicated bythe dashed line from the server device 1715 to the non-storage clientdevice 1725.

The two hub networks HN1 and HN2 are overlapping, defining anoverlapping or overlaying hub and spoke architecture. The hub networkHN1 includes the server/client device 1705 and the storage client device1720. The hub network HN2 includes the server/client device 1705, theserver device 1715, the storage client device 1720, and the non-storageclient device 1725. The server/client device 1705 and the storage clientdevice 1720 are members of both hub networks HN1 and HN2 and so arespanning devices.

The storage device 1730 is a compliant media device and the connectedplayer device 1735 is a non-compliant device. The storage device 1730and the player device 1735 are not members of the hub networks HN1 andHN2. The storage device 1730 is a portable storage device includingcompliant media, such as a compliant flash memory card. The playerdevice 1735 is a portable media player device, such as an MP3 player. Inother environments, non-compliant devices that are not portable can beconnected to one or more compliant devices.

The storage device 1730 is connected to the server device 1715 (e.g., isinserted into a port) and so can exchange data with the server device1715. Accordingly, the storage device 1730 and the server device 1715can exchange discrete instances. The storage device 1730 is connected tothe player device 1735 and the player device 1735 can presentnon-compliant copies of content data stored in the storage device 1730.Because the player device 1735 is a non-compliant device, the playerdevice 1735 cannot play or present compliant content data stored on thestorage device 1730. The storage device 1730 cannot make usable copiesfrom discrete instances stored on the storage device 1730.

Hub Network Membership

A server manages the membership of devices in the hub network. Theserver adds and removes clients as members of the hub network. A serverwill only grant licenses to member devices. Upon approval by a user, theserver adds a client device as a member after verifying that the clientdevice is a compliant device. If the server is also a client device, theserver initially adds itself as a client automatically. In oneimplementation, the server is also considered a member. In anotherimplementation, only clients are members. Once added as a member, adevice is a member until the server removes the device as a member. Theserver removes a client device as a member upon request by a user orwhen conditions are met for revoking the membership.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart 1800 of one implementation of adding a deviceto a hub network as a member device, such as adding storage client 1720to the hub network HN1 in FIG. 17. Initially, a client device isconnected to a hub network, block 1805. The client can be connecteddirectly to the server, through a wired or wireless connection, or canbe connected indirectly to the server, such as through interveningnetwork devices. The server will not add an unconnected device as amember (though see an alternative implementation described below usingan intermediary device to add an unconnected device).

The server detects the connected client device, block 1810. A compliantdevice sends a message or connection notification to devices on the hubnetwork indicating that the device is now connected to the hub network.In another implementation, the server periodically polls connecteddevices for new clients.

The server authenticates the detected client device, block 1815. Theserver sends a compliance confirmation request for information from theclient device to establish whether the client device is a compliantdevice or not. For example, the server sends a confirmation requestencrypted for a compliant device. If the client device does not respondproperly or the server otherwise determines that the client device isnot a compliant device, the authentication fails and the server will notadd the client device as a member to the hub network.

After confirming that the client device is a compliant device, theserver sends an identification request for information from the clientdevice identifying the client device. The server has a minimum set ofidentifying information required to authenticate the client device, suchas a MAC address (Media Access Control address). In one implementation,a compliant device has a secure and unique device identifier for hubnetworks. If the client device does not respond or does not provideappropriate information, the authentication fails and the server willnot add the client device as a member to the hub network. If the serverauthenticates the client device, the server checks a list of memberdevices to see if the authenticated client device is already in the listof member devices. If so, the server does not need to add the clientdevice as a member and informs the user that the device has reconnected.The server and client proceed as discussed below referring to FIG. 21(discussing reconnection of a member device). In one implementation, theserver adds the authenticated client device to a list of authenticatedconnected devices for the server's hub network.

After successfully authenticating the client device, the server receivesan add request to add the client device from a user, block 1820. Theserver waits to proceed with adding a client device until the serverreceives an affirmative request from a user to add a specific clientdevice. In another implementation, the server requests approval orconfirmation from the user to add an authenticated device when thedevice is detected instead of waiting for a request from the user. Inanother implementation, the server waits to authenticate the clientdevice until after receiving a request or approval to add the client.

After receiving a request to add the client device, the serverauthorizes the client device, block 1825. In one implementation, theclient must be in the local environment of the hub network to be added.The server sends a local environment confirmation request forinformation from the client to establish whether the client device is inthe local environment of the hub network. In one implementation, theserver sends a test message and waits for a response from the client(e.g., pings the client). Based on the amount of time between sendingthe test message and receiving the response, the server determineswhether the client is in the local environment (e.g., a round trip timebelow a threshold indicates a client is within the local environment).In another implementation, the server sends local environmentinformation to the client device and the client device determineswhether the client device is in the local environment or not. If theserver does not establish that the client device is in the localenvironment of the hub network, the authorization fails and the serverwill not add the client device as a member to the hub network.

In one implementation, the server also confirms that the client deviceis not on the server's revocation list before authorizing the clientdevice. As described below, the revocation list indicates devices forwhich authorization has been revoked. In one implementation, the serveradds the authorized client device to a list of authorized devices.

After successfully authorizing the client device, the server confirmsthat the number of member devices in the hub network is below the memberdevice limit, block 1830. The server stores a device limit indicatingthe maximum number of member devices that the server will add as membersto the hub network, such as 20. The server also maintains a devicecount, incremented for each device added as a member. If the devicecount has already met the device limit, the server will not add theclient device to the hub network as a member. In an alternativeimplementation, the server does not maintain a device count or a devicelimit, and block 1830 is skipped. In another implementation, the devicelimit can be modified by request from a verified external authority.

If the device count is below the device limit, the server adds theclient device as a member and a client of the hub network, block 1835.The server sends an add confirmation message to the added client. Theserver also increments the device count by one. In one implementation,the server adds the client device to a list of members and a list ofclients (or the same list). Some or all of the lists of connecteddevices, authenticated devices, authorized devices, member devices,client devices, and revoked devices can be integrated or related (e.g.,cross-indexed), or omitted.

In an alternative implementation, a server automatically attempts to adddetected client devices upon detection, or uses a set of rules todetermine when to attempt to add connected client devices. In anotherimplementation, the server automatically attempts to authenticate andauthorize detected client devices, but does not add an authenticated andauthorized device as a member until after receiving a user request orapproval.

In another implementation, when the device count has reached the devicelimit and the server is attempting to add another device, the servercontacts a device registration server, such as through an externalnetwork connection. The device registration server indicates whether theclient device is to be added to the hub network or not. The deviceregistration server maintains information for hub networks and theirmember devices. The device registration server can use various criteriato determine whether to allow the client device to be added or not. Inone implementation, the device registration server compares a thresholdto how many hub networks to which the client device has already beenadded as a member. In another implementation, the device registrationserver compares the number of devices already added to the hub networkto a second device limit, allowing the client device to be added if thedevice count is below the second device limit. In this case, the firstdevice limit stored by the server acts as a limit for adding deviceswithout external registration and the second device limit acts as amaximum for adding devices. In another implementation, the server alwayschecks with the device registration server before adding a device (e.g.,as though the first device limit were zero).

In another implementation, an unconnected device or a device outside thelocal environment can be added as a member. In this case, anintermediary device acts as a “conduit” for membership. The server andthe potential member client are either not connected or the client isnot in the local environment of the server. The intermediary device isconnected to both the server and client (e.g., directly, indirectly, orat different times such as when the intermediary device is a portabledevice moving between the server and client). The intermediary devicerequests permission from the server of a hub network to add the clientto the hub network. The addition process works similarly to thatdescribed above, but instead of the server and client communicatingdirectly, the intermediary device passes messages between the server andclient, with communication to each respective device occurring in thelocal environment relative to that device.

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart 1900 of one implementation of removing adevice from a hub network as a member device, such as removing storageclient 1720 from the hub network HN1 in FIG. 17. Initially, the deviceis connected to the hub network and is a member of the hub network. Theremoval of a member client device is triggered, block 1905. In oneimplementation, removal is triggered in two ways: by receiving a removalrequest from the user specifying the client device, or by the serverdetermining that the authorization of the client device is to berevoked. The server determines that the client device is to be revokedwhen the server receives a revocation notification identifying theclient or determines that the client device has circumvented or brokenthe rules of the hub network for compliant member devices, such asfailing to disable a sub-copy version when the state of the boundinstance is changed to discrete. The server also revokes theauthorization for a device when the server determines that the securityof the device has been compromised.

The server disables the licenses for sub-copy versions of boundinstances bound to the server's hub network for the client device to beremoved, block 1910. The server sends a disable request to the clientindicating the sub-copy versions to be disabled and the client disablesthe corresponding licenses. In addition, the removed client device willnot be able to receive a new license or be able to refresh an existinglicense for a bound instance bound to the hub network from which theclient device was removed. In one implementation, a compliant clientdevice automatically disables all licenses for sub-copy versions storedon the client and for bound instances bound to the hub network fromwhich the client has been removed once the client has been removed.Removing a client from one hub network does not necessarily disablelicenses for sub-copy versions for bound instances bound to another hubnetwork.

The server removes the client device as a member of the hub network,block 1915. The server removes the client device from the list of memberdevices and decrements the member device count. A server maintains arevocation list of devices for which membership has been revoked. When aserver removes a device for revocation, the server adds the device tothe server's revocation list. A server will not add a client device as amember if the client device is included in the revocation list. In oneimplementation, a server publishes a revocation list to other deviceswhen the revocation list is updated, such as to clients in the hubnetwork, other servers, or a central database. In anotherimplementation, the server updates one or more root licenses stored onthe server to indicate that the client has been revoked.

In one implementation, a server does not remove a disconnected client asa member until all of the licenses for sub-copies stored on the clienthave expired. As described below, when a device is disconnected,licenses from the disconnected hub network will eventually expire. Theserver waits to complete the removal of the disconnected device untilall of those licenses have expired.

Device Disconnection and Reconnection

When a device enters the local environment of a hub network, the devicecan connect to the hub network. When a device leaves the localenvironment of a hub network, the device is disconnected from the hubnetwork. When a device returns to the local environment, the device canreconnect to the hub network. As discussed above, when a compliantnon-member is connected or reconnected to the hub network, the serverproceeds to attempt to add the new device after receiving a request orapproval from a user.

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart 2000 of one implementation of disconnecting amember device from a hub network. Initially, a connected device becomesdisconnected, block 2005. A device can be disconnected in various ways.When a device leaves the local environment of a hub network, the deviceis disconnected from the hub network. When the physical connection(wireless or wired) between the device the hub network fails, the deviceis disconnected. For example, when the server and client can no longerexchange packets of data, the client and server are disconnected. In oneimplementation, the server determines whether a client is connected ornot as needed (e.g., before acting based on the client being connected).In another implementation, the server periodically polls clients forconnection and maintains a connected device list, and the client alsoperiodically polls the server and recognizes when the client isdisconnected. In another implementation, when a user affirmativelyrequests that a device be disconnected, the device is disconnected.

Because the local environment is defined relative to the position of theserver (e.g., within 100 meters of the server), the server will notleave the local environment because the server takes the localenvironment with the server when the server physically moves. However,when the server moves, one or more clients of the hub network may notmove and so may “leave” the local environment of the hub network as aresult of the server's movement. In this case, the clients left behindare disconnected from the hub network as being outside the localenvironment.

The client checks the expiration period for any licenses of sub-copyversions of bound instances bound to the hub network, block 2010. Asdiscussed below, the license for a sub-copy version includes anexpiration period. When the client receives the license, the client setsan expiration time based on the expiration period of the license. Forexample, for a license with an expiration period of 15 days, the clientsets the expiration time to be 15 days from the time when the clientreceived the license. The client monitors how much time remains untilthe expiration time and when the expiration time has been reached usinga secure clock. A client periodically refreshes the license byrequesting a refreshed license from the server and resets the expirationperiod and time when the refreshed license is received. A disconnectedclient device cannot refresh the license because the client is notconnected to the server. While the client is unable to refresh thelicense, the expiration time does not change and so the amount of timeuntil the expiration time is reached continues to decrease. When theexpiration time is reached, the expiration period has expired and theclient disables the license. When the client can refresh the licenseagain, the client enables the license and resets the expiration time. Aclient may be unable to refresh one license because the client isdisconnected from the hub network for the license, but be able torefresh a second license because the client is still connected to adifferent hub network corresponding to the second license.

If any of the expiration periods have expired, the client disables thelicenses with the expired periods, block 2015. The client disables thelicense, disabling the corresponding sub-copy version. In anotherimplementation, the client disables the sub-copy version in another way,as described below.

The client periodically checks to see if the client has been reconnectedto the hub network, block 2020. In one implementation, the client checksfor reconnection at the same time as requesting a refreshed license. Insome configurations, such as for one implementation using a wiredconnection, the client does not need to periodically check forreconnection because the client quickly receives a signal indicating thereconnection, and so block 2020 may be skipped. When the client isreconnected to the hub network, the client follows the process shown inFIG. 21.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart 2100 of one implementation of reconnecting amember device to a hub network. Initially, the device is a member devicethat has been disconnected from a hub network. The device is thenreconnected to the hub network, block 2105. A device can be reconnectedwhen the device is in the local environment of the hub network and thephysical connection between the device the hub network is restored orestablished. In one implementation, the client periodically polls theserver and recognizes when the client is reconnected. In oneimplementation, a device does not reconnect until requested to do so bya user.

The server detects the reconnected device in the hub network, block2110. In one implementation, the client sends a reconnectionnotification to the server. As discussed above referring to block 1810of FIG. 18, in another implementation, the server periodically polls thehub network for newly connected or reconnected devices.

The server authenticates the detected device and checks if thereconnected device is a member client of the hub network, block 2115. Asdiscussed above referring to block 1815 of FIG. 18, the serverauthenticates a device on connection to determine the identity of thedevice. The server maintains a list of member devices and so canrecognize that a newly connected device is already a member of the hubnetwork and does not need to be added again. In one implementation, theserver confirms that the reconnected device is in the local environmentof the hub network. In one implementation, the server also confirms thatthe reconnected device is not on a revocation list.

After authenticating the device as a member device, the server refresheslicenses of the client, block 2120. The server refreshes the licenses ofsub-copy versions of content data stored on the client for boundinstances bound to the server's hub network. The server does not refreshlicenses for sub-copy versions for bound instances bound to other hubnetworks. Alternatively, the client requests that the licenses berefreshed once the client has successfully reconnected to the hubnetwork.

Time Administration

A server manages time administration for the hub network. Timeadministration includes relative time and absolute time management. Theserver manages time to enforce time-based limitations, such as inlicenses for discrete or bound instances of content in the hub network.Clients also manage time internally, or with reference to the timeadministration of the server. When a client receives a license for asub-copy version from a licensing authority, the client synchronizestime information with the licensing authority before receiving thelicense. Servers and clients use secure mechanisms for managing time.

Security

In one implementation, the devices of a hub network use securetechniques for various operations, including, but not limited to:communicating data; placing requests; logging transactions fortransaction history; providing and disabling licenses; authenticating,authorizing, disabling, and revoking devices; storing, making, andmoving instances, copies and keys; maintaining metadata for instancesand copies; and presenting and streaming content. The compliant devicesperiodically may renew the security processes from a central authority,or receive updates from a user or automated source. A client devicerenews security mechanisms before receiving a license, includingmechanisms such as updating encryption keys, synchronizing the client'sclock and time information with the server, exchanging and updatingrevocation lists, and renewing system security data and tools. In oneimplementation, a server can revoke a key if the server has determinedthe key has been compromised. In this case the server requests compliantdevices disable the revoked key so that the revoked key will not be usedto access secure media content.

Content Management

Devices in a media network environment present, copy, and move thecontent data for instances of content. As discussed above, an instanceincludes content data that is media data, such as audio and/or videodata. As discussed above, the server for a hub network manages the stateof bound instances of content in the hub network. The server directlychanges the state of a bound instance and causes member clients in thehub network to take appropriate actions according to these statechanges.

An instance of content is either compliant or non-compliant. A compliantinstance includes data encoded so that only compliant devices are to beable to decode and present the content data. Accordingly, non-compliantdevices cannot present content data from a compliant instance. Acompliant device (a server) can bind or free a compliant instance to orfrom a hub network.

A non-compliant instance or copy of content is not encoded according tothe requirements of a hub network and so a non-compliant device or acompliant device can present the content data of a non-compliantinstance or copy (subject to other copy control mechanisms that may bepresent in the instance or copy). A compliant device will not bind anon-compliant instance or copy to a hub network, but can storenon-compliant content in alternative forms. In one implementation, if anon-compliant instance has copy control information recognized by thecompliant device and authorized to be used in the hub network, thecompliant device can bind the non-compliant instance defining the rootlicense according to the copy control information.

Content States

Each compliant instance of content in the hub network is in one of twoexclusive states: discrete or bound. A discrete instance of content isnot bound to any hub network and can be moved from one device toanother, in or out of the hub network, using compliant media. Acompliant device will not make a copy of a discrete instance (other thantransiently in the course of presenting the content data). The discreteinstance can be in various forms, such as one or more electronic filesstored on complaint storage media (e.g., an optical disc), or one ormore electronic files stored in storage of a compliant device (e.g.,received by download through a network connection). Media storing adiscrete instance of content is media network compliant media. Compliantmedia allows a server to modify the discrete instance as needed, such asto disable the discrete instance when binding the content to the hubnetwork. In addition, compliant media is configured so that devices arenot to be able to create a bit-by-bit copy of the data of any discreteinstances stored on the compliant media. Accordingly, compliant media isor includes secure read/write storage media (e.g., a writable opticaldisc or read-only media with an attached or associated writablestorage). In one implementation, the writable storage is remote from themedia itself, such as a database. A compliant device will not create acopy of a discrete instance.

FIG. 22 shows a representation of one implementation of a discreteinstance 2205. The discrete instance 2205 includes locked or securecontent data (e.g., encrypted) 2210. The locked content data of adiscrete instance is also referred to as the discrete version of thelocked content data of the discrete instance. The locked content data2210 is the media content data of the discrete instance, such as audioor video data (e.g., a song, a television program, a movie). In analternative implementation, the locked content data is non-media data,such as executable software (e.g., a computer or video game). The lockedcontent data 2210 is encrypted (e.g., using one or more cryptographicalgorithms that are published and verified through public peer review).The locked content data 2210 is encrypted using a content encryptiontechnique so that only compliant devices can decrypt the locked contentdata 2210. Header information 2215 is associated with the locked contentdata. The header information includes meta-data such as a titleidentifier, an instance identifier (identifying the particularinstance), encoding data (e.g., indicating the codec, resolution, andencoding entity used to encode the locked content data), and licensingauthority data. The licensing authority data indicates an externallicensing authority that can be accessed to obtain additional rights orlicenses. Some implementations of discrete instances do not includelicensing authority data (e.g., using whatever license is provided alongwith the locked content data). In another implementation, some or all ofthe header information 2215 is also encrypted or is included in thelocked content data 2210. The discrete instance 2205 includes a securearea 2220 of encrypted data. The data of the secure area 2220 isencrypted using a hub network encryption technique so that onlycompliant devices are to be able to decrypt the data of the secure area2220 (e.g., using a key held by compliant devices). The secure area 2220includes a key 2225, a discrete license 2230, and a revocation list2235. The key 2225 is for unlocking the locked content data 2210. In oneexample, a compliant device holds a key for decrypting the secure area2220 including the key 2225 (which was encrypted using hub networkencryption), and uses the key 2225 to decrypt the locked content data2210 (which was encrypted using content encryption). The discretelicense 2230 holds the current license for the locked content data 2210for the specific discrete instance 2205. The license 2230 defines theset of permissions defined for the locked content data 2210 for thespecific discrete instance 2205, including presenting, copying, andmoving as appropriate for a discrete instance (e.g., copying is notpermitted). The license 2230 also indicates what types of licenses areavailable for a bound instance based on the discrete instance 2205. Inone implementation, the license 2230 includes a flag to indicate thatthe discrete instance 2205 is a discrete instance. The revocation list2235 indicates devices for which authorization has been revoked. Acompliant device maintains its own revocation list. When a compliantdevice receives a discrete instance, the device adds to its revocationlist any devices in the revocation list of the discrete instance thatare not on the device's revocation list. A compliant device will notpresent or play a discrete instance if that device is listed in thedevice's revocation list. A compliant server will not bind a discreteinstance if that server is listed in the server's revocation list. Inanother implementation, the discrete instance does not include arevocation list. In another implementation, components of the discreteinstance are stored as multiple files.

A bound instance is bound to a particular hub network and managed by theserver of that hub network. Data of a bound instance is encrypted (atleast in part) so that a non-compliant device or a device outside thebound hub network is not to be able to present or play the content dataof the bound instance. The server managing the bound instance has rootresponsibility for the bound instance. Root responsibility includesissuing and managing the licenses for sub-copy versions of the lockedcontent data of the bound instance. The server managing the boundinstance also manages a source version of the locked content data of thebound instance. The server uses the source version for creating sub-copyversions of the locked content data in the hub network. The designatedserver is a local licensing authority for the sub-copy versions of thatbound instance. The server can make sub-copy versions from the sourceversion and provide the sub-copy versions to clients in the hub network.In one implementation, clients can also make sub-copy versions from thesub-copy versions stored by the clients, but the clients receiving thenew sub-copy versions will need licenses from the server of the hubnetwork to present the content. A client device can move a sub-copyversion to another device in the hub network or to a device outside thehub network. A device receiving a sub-copy version from a different hubnetwork (e.g., of which the device is not a member) needs to obtain anew license, such as from a licensing authority indicated by thesub-copy version. A compliant server will not move the rootresponsibility, and thus the bound instance, to another compliant serverwithout first changing the state of the bound instance back to discrete.To transfer root responsibility to another server, the server shifts thebound instance to a discrete instance and moves the discrete instance tothe second server. The second server then shifts the received discreteinstance to a bound instance, and so the second server then has rootresponsibility. In this case, the bound instance is then bound to adifferent hub network, that of the second server. In anotherimplementation, the source version is not stored on the server for thehub network, but the server stores and administers the root license andremotely manages the source version.

FIG. 23 shows a representation of one implementation of a bound instance2300, including components stored on a server 2305 and on a client 2350.The bound instance 2300 is similar in structure to the discrete instance2205 in FIG. 22, but can include data stored on a server and data storedon zero or more of the clients in the hub network. The server components2305 include: locked content data 2310, header information 2315, and asecure area 2320 that includes a key 2325, a root license 2330, and arevocation list 2335. The locked content data 2310 in the servercomponents 2305 is the source version of the locked content data of thebound instance 2300. The server uses the source version for makingsub-copy versions of the locked content data (e.g., locked content data2310 discussed below). The source version is the highest resolutionversion of the content in the hub network. If different devices requestdifferent resolution copies, those copies can be made from the sourceversion. The licensing authority data of the header information 2315indicates an external licensing authority (e.g., the same authority asthat indicated by the discrete instance upon which the bound instance isbased) and the server as a local licensing authority. Someimplementations of bound instances do not include absolute licensingauthority data (e.g., using whatever license is provided along with thelocked content data). The root license 2330 indicates the set ofpermissions defined for the specific locked content data 2310, includingpresenting, copying, and moving as appropriate for a bound instance(e.g., moving is not permitted, but creating and providing sub-copyversions to other devices is permitted). The root license 2330 iscryptographically bound to the specific server. The root license 2330defines what types of licenses are available for sub-copies in the hubnetwork. In one implementation, the root license 2330 includes a flag toindicate that the bound instance 2305 is a bound instance. In oneimplementation, the root license is different depending on whether theserver is a server device or a server/client device. The revocation listindicates devices for which authorization has been revoked. As notedabove, a compliant device maintains its own revocation list (e.g., aserver maintains a server or device revocation list, a client maintainsa client revocation list). When a server receives a bound instance, theserver adds to its revocation list any devices in the revocation list(s)of the bound instance that are not on the server's revocation list. Acompliant server device will not present or play a bound instance ifthat device is listed in the server's revocation list. A compliantserver will not unbind (make discrete) a bound instance if that serveris listed in the server's revocation list. A compliant server will notprovide a sub-copy version or a license to a device that is listed inthe server's revocation list. In another implementation, a compliantserver will provide a sub-copy version to a device listed in therevocation list, but will not provide a license to that device.

The components stored on a client 2350 are similar to those stored on aserver 2305, but the license is different. The client components 2350include: locked content data 2355, header information 2360, and a securearea 2365 that includes a key 2370, a sub-copy license 2375, and arevocation list 2380. The licensing authority data of the headerinformation 2360 indicates an external licensing authority (e.g., thesame authority that indicated by the discrete instance upon which thebound instance is based) and the server corresponding to the boundinstance as a local licensing authority. As noted above, someimplementations of bound instances do not include licensing authoritydata. The sub-copy license 2375 indicates the set of permissions definedfor the specific locked content data 2355 according to the root licenseof the corresponding bound instance, including rules for presenting thecontent such as any time restrictions. The sub-copy license 2375 iscryptographically bound to the specific client. The sub-copy license2375 includes an expiration period for when the client is unable torefresh the license, as discussed below. As discussed above, a clientdevice maintains a revocation list and updates the revocation listaccording to the revocation list 2380. A compliant client device willnot present or play a sub-copy version if that device is listed in theclient's revocation list. In one implementation, a compliant device alsowill not provide a sub-copy to a device that is listed in the client'srevocation list.

In one implementation, similar to the discrete instance, the lockedcontent data and the secure areas of a bound instance are encryptedusing different techniques. The locked content data (the source versionand any sub-copy versions) is encrypted using a content encryptiontechnique. The secure areas are encrypted using a hub network encryptiontechnique. In one example, a compliant device holds a hub network keyfor decrypting the secure area including the key (which was encryptedusing hub network encryption), and uses the decrypted key from thesecure area to decrypt the locked content data (which was encryptedusing content encryption).

In another implementation, locked content data and a license (or theentire secure area) of a bound instance can be managed and distributedseparately. Similarly, the locked content of a discrete instance can bedistributed separately. In this case, a compliant device will notpresent locked content data without first obtaining a valid license.Devices can distribute locked content data outside the hub network, butrecipients will still need new licenses. In addition, in this way, anintermediary device can act as a conduit for refreshing a license of adisconnected member device outside the local environment of the hubnetwork by passing a license from the server to the disconnected client,as described below.

Multiple discrete instances of the same content are treated as distinctdiscrete instances and are unrelated. Similarly, if multiple discreteinstances of the same content are bound to a hub network each creates adistinct bound instance. In another implementation, the serverrecognizes when multiple discrete instances of the same content arepresent (e.g., through identifying information in the content or headerinformation), and the licensing information for the instances allows thebound instances to be treated as related. For example, if multiplerelated instances are present, freeing one related instance need notdisable locked content data for the remaining related bound instances.

In another implementation, an instance or copy of content can be in athird state as well: unrestricted. Unrestricted instances and copies canbe moved, copied, and played in and out of a hub network. A compliantdevice will not change the state of an unrestricted instance to bound ordiscrete. When a user requests that content be added to a hub network,the server checks for copy control information and adds the content as abound instance if the server identifies controlled states (defining theroot license according to the copy control information). If a userrequests adding an instance that does not include any detected copycontrols or media network environment information (e.g., is not adiscrete or bound instance), the device can add the content as anunrestricted instance.

Returning to FIG. 17, two content items A and B are bound to the hubnetwork HN1. For the bound instances of each of the two items of contentA and B, the server/client device 1705 stores a source version of lockedcontent data, indicated by the “A” and “B” labels. The storage clientdevice 1720 stores a sub-copy version of locked content data for each ofthe two content items A and B, indicated by the “a” and “b” labels.

One content item X is bound to the hub network HN2. The server device1715 stores a source version of content X, indicated by the “X” label.The server/client device 1705 and the storage client device 1720 eachstore a sub-copy version for the content item X, indicated by the “x”label. The server device 1715 also stores a discrete version of lockedcontent data for a discrete instance of content Y, indicated by the “Y”label.

The storage device 1730 stores a discrete version of content Z,indicated by the “Z” label.

Content State Transitions

A server manages the state of compliant instances of content in the hubnetwork. A server binds an instance to a hub network by changing thestate of a discrete instance to bound. A server removes or frees aninstance from a hub network by changing the state of the bound instanceto discrete and disabling the corresponding locked content data in thehub network.

FIG. 24 shows a flowchart 2400 of one implementation of binding adiscrete instance to a hub network. Initially, the server receives thediscrete instance, block 2405. As discussed above, the discrete instancecan be in various forms on compliant media, such as an electronic file(or files) stored on compliant storage media (e.g., optical disc), or anelectronic file (or filed) stored in storage of the server (e.g.,received by download through a network connection). The server does notyet make a copy of the discrete instance, because the server will notmake copies of discrete instances that are not being bound to the hubnetwork (though a server may make a copy of the locked content data of adiscrete instance).

The server receives a request from a user to bind the discrete instanceto the hub network, block 2410. In one implementation, the server waitsfor a request from the user. In another implementation, the server sendsa query to the user when the server receives the discrete instance,querying whether the server should bind the discrete instance to the hubnetwork.

After the server receives the bind request, the server disables thediscrete instance block 2415. By disabling the discrete instance,compliant devices will not present or play the discrete instance. In oneimplementation, the server disables the discrete instance by disablingthe license for the discrete instance. In another implementation, theserver disables the discrete instance by setting a flag in the data ofthe discrete instance, so that a compliant device will not present thediscrete instance. In another implementation, the server disables thediscrete instance by encrypting some or all of the discrete instancewith a key private to the server. In another implementation, the serverdisables the discrete instance by registering the discrete instance asbeing disabled with a central database or authority (e.g., with whichdevices check before presenting or playing content data). In anotherimplementation, the discrete instance is only partially disabled suchthat devices that are members of the hub network to which the disableddiscrete instance has been bound can present or play the discreteinstance as a sub-copy. If the server cannot disable the discreteinstance, the server does not bind the discrete instance to the hubnetwork.

The server creates a bound instance from the discrete instance, block2420. The server copies the discrete instance, including copying thelocked content data, header information including the licensingauthority information, the key to unlock the locked content data, thediscrete license, and the revocation list (if present). The serverstores the copy of the locked content data as the source version of thelocked content data for the bound instance. The server modifies thediscrete license to be a root license as appropriate to manage the boundinstance, rather than the discrete instance. Alternatively, the serverdoes not copy the discrete license and instead generates a new rootlicense using the discrete license. In another implementation, theserver also or instead contacts an external licensing authorityindicated by the licensing authority information to update or generatethe root license. In one implementation, if the server is not aserver/client device and so does not present content, the root licensedoes not store licensing information pertaining to presentationpermissions for the server.

In an alternative implementation, the server disables the discreteinstance by deleting some or all of the discrete instance. In this case,the server first establishes the bound instance of the discrete instancebefore deleting the discrete instance.

In another implementation, the server converts the discrete instanceinto a bound instance. In this case, the server does not make a copy ofthe discrete instance. Instead, the server changes the licensingauthority information and the license as appropriate to indicate thatthe discrete instance is now a bound instance.

In one implementation, the server confirms that the server is allowed tobind the discrete instance before disabling the discrete instance andcreating a bound instance. The server confirms that the license of thediscrete instance permits the server to bind the discrete instance. Theserver also confirms that the server is not on the server's revocationlist. In another implementation, the server also confirms that there isa proper watermark in the locked content data of the discrete instance.If the server does not successfully confirm that binding the discreteinstance is allowed, the server does not bind the discrete instance.

In one implementation, the server records the broadcast information andstores it as bound content and establishes the root. The server createsthe root license automatically. In an alternative implementation theserver uses information in the broadcast to define the root license oruses licensing authority information in the broadcast information tocontact an external licensing authority to obtain a license to build theroot license. In another implementation, a server records content from abroadcast as a discrete instance. In one implementation, the broadcastinformation includes the key, licensing authority information andlicensing information to build the discrete copy. In anotherimplementation, the server records the broadcast information and storesit as bound content and establishes the root. The server uses licensingauthority information in the broadcast information to contact anexternal licensing authority to obtain a license to build the root copy.In one implementation, the server encrypts the media content of thebroadcast information according to any copy control information providedby the broadcast.

FIG. 25 shows a flowchart 2500 of one implementation of freeing a copyof content from a hub network, making the content discrete(“discretification”). Initially, the bound instance is stored on theserver and any clients storing sub-copy versions of the content.

The server receives a request from a user to free the bound instancefrom the hub network and create a discrete instance, block 2505. In oneimplementation, the server waits for a request from the user. In anotherimplementation, the server sends a query to the user when the serverreceives a request for an action that is not available for a boundinstance, such as moving the bound instance off the hub network. In thiscase, the query asks whether the server should free the bound instancefrom the hub network and create a discrete instance.

After the server receives the discrete request, the server causes theclients of the hub network to disable sub-copy versions of thecorresponding bound instance, block 2510. The server sends a disablerequest to each of the members of the hub network, specifying for whichbound instance sub-copy versions are to be disabled. Alternatively, theserver sends the disable request to members that have sub-copy versionsof the bound instance (e.g., as indicated through licenses sent to theclients). The clients receiving the disable request disable all sub-copyversions corresponding to the bound instance. By disabling a sub-copyversion, compliant devices will not present or play the disabledsub-copy version. In one implementation, a client disables a sub-copyversion by disabling the license for the sub-copy version. In anotherimplementation, a client deletes a sub-copy version to be disabled. Inanother implementation, a client disables a sub-copy version by settinga flag in the data of the sub-copy version, so that a compliant devicewill not present the sub-copy version. In another implementation, aclient disables a sub-copy version by encrypting the sub-copy versionwith a key private to the client. In another implementation, a clientdisables a sub-copy version by registering the bound instance as beingdisabled with a central database or authority (e.g., with which devicescheck before presenting or playing a sub-copy version). If a client isdisconnected from the hub network at this time, the server generates arequest to disable the corresponding sub-copy version when the clientdevice reconnects to the hub network.

After the server disables the sub-copy versions, the server disables thesource version, block 2515. By disabling the source version, compliantdevices will not present or play the source version. The server disablesthe source version similarly to the server disabling a discrete instanceor a client disabling a sub-copy version, such as by disabling the rootlicense for the bound instance.

The server makes a discrete instance from the bound instance, block2520. The server copies the bound instance, including copying the sourceversion of the locked content data, header information including thelicensing authority information, the key to unlock the locked contentdata, the root license, and the revocation list (if present). The serverstores the discrete instance on internal storage or on externalcompliant media (e.g., according to the discrete request from the user).The server modifies the root license as appropriate for a discreteinstance, rather than a bound instance. Alternatively, the server doesnot copy the root license and instead generates a new discrete licenseusing the root license. In another implementation, the server also orinstead contacts an external licensing authority indicated by thelicensing authority information to update or generate the discretelicense.

In one implementation, before creating the discrete instance on externalcompliant media, the server confirms that compliant media is availableto store the new discrete instance. If compliant media is not available,the server can create a discrete instance on internal storage or theserver can create a non-compliant copy using an approved recordingtechnology (e.g., as approved by the root license or by theconfiguration of the hub network). In one implementation, examples ofapproved recording technologies include 4C or D-VHS. Once the server hascreated the non-compliant copy, the non-compliant copy will not be ableto be bound again and the disabled sub-copies will not be able to beenabled (without purchasing a new license). Accordingly, the serverrequests confirmation before creating the non-compliant copy. Ifexternal compliant media is not available and an approved recordingtechnology is not available, the server will not make a discreteinstance on external storage. In one implementation, the user canrequest the creation of a non-compliant copy from a discrete instanceregardless of the presence of compliant media (though approved recordingtechnology is still needed).

In another implementation, the server converts a bound instance to adiscrete instance. In this case, the server does not need to make a copyof the bound instance. Instead, the server changes the licensingauthority information and the license as appropriate to indicate thatthe bound instance is now a discrete instance.

In another implementation, a storage client device can also change thestate of a bound instance to discrete. In this case, the client deviceinforms the server and the server disables the source versions and allremaining sub-copy versions (e.g., by sending disable requests to theother clients). In an alternative implementation, the storage clientdevice requests all member devices of the hub network to disablesub-copy versions of the content (subject to the license of the storageclient device). In one implementation, if a client device storessub-copy versions or stores other locked content data, the client deviceincludes functionality to change the state of the bound instance todiscrete.

In one implementation, the server will not free a bound instance thatincludes time-restricted usage rules in the licensing information. Inthis case, if the server receives a request to shift the bound instanceto a discrete instance, the server declines the request and the boundinstance, with corresponding sub-copy versions, remains enabled.

In one implementation, the server confirms that the server is allowed tofree the bound instance before disabling the bound instance and creatinga discrete instance. The server confirms that the root license of thebound instance permits the server to free the bound instance. The serveralso confirms that the server is not on the server's revocation list. Ifthe server does not successfully confirm that freeing the bound instanceis allowed, the server does not free the bound instance.

Content License Management

A server manages the licenses of sub-copy versions for bound instancesbound to the server's hub network. As noted above, when a server bindsan instance of content to a hub network, the server creates a boundinstance having a root license. The server with the root license for thebound instance is the local licensing authority for that bound instancein the hub network and the server uses the root license to control thelicensing of all the sub-copy versions for that bound instance in thehub network.

A compliant device uses a license to use locked content data of aninstance of content, such as to present, copy, or move the lockedcontent data. In one implementation, the license indicates the set ofpermissions defined for specific locked content data. The licensepermissions indicate permissions for presenting, copying, and moving thelocked content data according to type (e.g., discrete instance, boundinstance). A license can also indicate conditions for permission, suchas based on time (e.g., a time limit for a rental), geography (e.g.,region codes), user identity (e.g., a password). A license can bechanged or updated through interaction with the licensing authority(e.g., additional payment for sell-through of a rental). A compliantdevice will not present locked content data without a current, valid,and enabled license. A compliant device requests a new license orconfirms the license for locked content data when the compliant devicefirst uses the locked content data. A server only provides licenses tomember clients of the server's hub network that are in the localenvironment of the hub network.

In another implementation, a server will provide a license to a memberclient that is disconnected and/or outside the local environment of thehub network using an intermediary device (e.g., another client device).The intermediary device acts as a “conduit” for the license (similar toadding a remote device as a member as described above). The server andthe client are either not connected or the client is not in the localenvironment of the server. The intermediary device is connected to boththe server and client (e.g., directly, indirectly, or at different timessuch as when the intermediary device is a portable device moving betweenthe server and client). The intermediary device passes informationbetween the server and client, and eventually passes a license from theserver to the client (if the server grants a license to the client).

In one implementation, a client device can extend its license to anothermember client of the same hub network if both devices are in the samelocal environment at the time of the transfer. The extended license isthe same as (or more restrictive than) the license held by the extendingclient device, so the extending client will not expand the permissionsof the license. The receiving client refreshes the license upon receipt.After the extension, both the extending client and the receiving clienthave a license.

License Refreshing

The license for a sub-copy version of a bound instance has an expirationperiod. When the license is received by a client, the client sets anexpiration time according to the expiration period of the license andthe current time of the client's secure clock. For example, for licensewith an expiration period of 15 days, the client would set theexpiration time to be 15 days from when the license was received. Whenthe clock indicates that the expiration time has been reached, thelicense expires. A client refreshes the license for each of the sub-copyversions stored by the client periodically by contacting the serverstoring the root license for the sub-copy version. When the license isrefreshed, the client resets the expiration time according to theexpiration period of the refreshed license. While the license is notrefreshed, the expiration time remains the same and so the remainingtime in the expiration period until the expiration time is reachedcontinues to decrease. A client also refreshes all of its licenses forsub-copy versions corresponding to a hub network when the clientreconnects to that hub network.

FIG. 26 shows a flowchart 2600 of one implementation of updating andrefreshing a license. Initially, the client stores a sub-copy version oflocked content data for a bound instance. The license for the sub-copyversion is bound to a particular hub network and so the server for thehub network manages the bound instance corresponding to the sub-copyversion stored by the client. When the client received the license forthe sub-copy version, the client set the expiration time for the licenseaccording to the expiration period and the time of the client's clock.The client's clock is a secure clock and advances at a regular rate. Ifthe client did not receive an enabled license with the sub-copy, theclient requests a new or refreshed license upon receipt of the sub-copy.

The client requests a refreshed license from the server, block 2605. Theclient sends a refresh request to the server for the hub network towhich the bound instance of the sub-copy version is bound. The clientsends a refresh request to the server periodically, such as once everyminute or hour. In one implementation, the server or user can adjust thefrequency for clients to request refreshed licenses. In oneimplementation, the client requests synchronization of time from theserver before or in addition to requesting the refreshed license.

The server receives the request and confirms the client is properlyconfigured to receive a refreshed license, block 2610. The serverconfirms that the client is connected and in the local environment ofthe hub network (e.g., by pinging the client). If the client is notconnected or not in the local environment, the server does not send arefreshed license. The server also confirms that the client has theproper security software and data (e.g., a key). If the client does nothave the proper security software and data, the server sends the clienta security update including updated software and data. If the servercannot send the client the security update, the server does not send theclient a refreshed license. If the server does not receive the refreshrequest, the server does not send a refreshed license to the client.

After confirming the client, the server confirms the license for theclient, block 2615. The server confirms that the client is not on theserver's revocation list. In one implementation, the server and theclient also exchange and update revocation lists before the server sendsa new license to the client. If the client is on the server's revocationlist, the server does not send a refreshed license. The serverdetermines whether a license is still available for the client bychecking the root license. If the root license indicates that a licenseis available for the client, the server sends a refreshed license to theclient. The refreshed license is not necessarily the same license asthat stored in the client. The server can update aspects of the client'slicense by sending a different license as the refreshed license. Forexample, in one implementation, the server periodically requests licenseupdates from an external licensing authority and updates the rootlicense accordingly. In another implementation, the root licenseindicates different licensing permissions according to changingcriteria, such as time, payment, or client status. As discussed below,in one implementation, when a new sub-copy version is created, the newsub-copy version has a disabled license and needs a new license specificto the new device. In response to the first refresh request for a newsub-copy version, the server creates a new license using the rootlicense.

If the root license indicates that a license is not available for theclient, the server does not send a refreshed license to the client. Alicense is not available if the root license indicates that the licensefor the content is no longer valid due to a change in circumstances(e.g., a time period has expired for a rental, or a subscription fee hasnot been paid). In one implementation, the server also checks with anexternal licensing authority for some or all refresh requests. In oneimplementation, the server sends a message to the client explaining thereason for not sending the refreshed license.

In another implementation, the server does not send a refreshed license,but instead sends a message or flag indicating whether the license isable to be refreshed or not, and any changes to the license.

The client determines whether the server sent a refreshed license ornot, block 2620. If the client is disconnected from the server, theserver will not respond to the refresh request and so the client willnot receive a refreshed license. In another implementation, the clientfirst checks for any response from the server. In anotherimplementation, the client does not send a refresh request if the clientis disconnected from the hub network and proceeds as though a refreshedlicense had not been received. If the server is unavailable or disabled,the server will not send a refreshed license. As discussed above, if theserver does not successfully confirm the client or the license, theclient is not permitted to receive a refreshed license and the serverdoes not send a refreshed license.

If the client receives the refreshed license, the client refreshes thelicense, block 2625. The client replaces the stored license with therefreshed license. The expiration time is reset back to the maximum ofthe expiration period.

If the client does not receive the refreshed license, the clientdetermines whether the license has expired or not, block 2630. Thelicense has expired when the expiration period has passed withoutreceiving a refreshed license. The license expires when the client'sclock indicates that the expiration time has been reached. In otherimplementations, different mechanisms can be used to determine when theexpiration period has expired, such as a decrementing timer.

If the license has expired, the client disables the license, block 2635.The client disables the license so that the client and other compliantdevices will not present that sub-copy version. In one implementation,the client disables the sub-copy version in another way instead or aswell, such as encrypting the sub-copy version or deleting the sub-copyversion.

When the next period for requesting a refreshed license occurs, theclient returns to block 2605. In one implementation, the client maydetermine that the license has expired independently of requesting arefreshed license (e.g., when the expiration time is between requestsfor a refreshed license).

In one implementation, if a client does not receive a refreshed licensefrom a server, the client requests a refreshed or new license from anexternal license authority. As described above, the server is the locallicensing authority defined by the licensing authority information inthe header information of the sub-copy version. The licensing authorityinformation might also indicate an external licensing authority, such asa central server connected to the client through a network (e.g., theInternet). In one implementation, the client requests a license from theexternal authority when the server is unavailable, or when the client isnot a member of the server's hub network and needs a new license. Inanother implementation, the licensing authority information indicates ahierarchy of authorities (e.g., local, regional, national, andabsolute).

FIGS. 27-29 illustrate an example of disconnecting a device from a hubnetwork and the operation of expiration periods.

In FIG. 27, two media network environments 2700 and 2750 are indifferent local environments. The local environments are definedrelative to the positions of servers (two servers in close proximity aretreated as defining substantially coextensive local environments). Thedashed line represents the break between the local environments. Thefirst media network environment 2700 includes four devices: aserver/client device 2705 connected to a terminal device 2710 (forpresenting content), a server device 2715, and a client device 2720. Theserver/client device 2705 is the server for a hub network HN1, indicatedby the “HN1*” label. The server/client device 2705 and the client device2720 are clients in the hub network HN1, indicated by the “HN1” label.The server device 2715 is a server for a hub network HN2, indicated bythe “HN2*” label. The server/client device 2705 and the client device2720 are clients in the hub network HN2, indicated by the “HN2” label.

Two content items A and B are bound to the hub network HN1. Theserver/client device 2705 stores a source version and manages rootresponsibility for each of the two content items A and B, indicated bythe “A” and “B” labels. The client device 2720 stores a sub-copy versionfor each of the two content items A and B, indicated by the “a” and “b”labels.

One content item X is bound to the hub network HN2. The server device2715 stores a source version and manages root responsibility for thecontent item X, indicated by the “X” label. The server/client device2705 and the client device 2720 each store a sub-copy version for thecontent item X, indicated by the “x” label. The server device 2715 alsostores a discrete version of the content item Y, indicated by the “Y”label.

The second media network environment 2750 includes one device: aserver/client device 2755. The server/client device 2755 is the serverfor a hub network HN3, indicated by the “HN3*” label. The server/clientdevice 2755 is a client in the hub network HN3, indicated by the “HN3”label.

One content item M is bound to the hub network HN3. The server/clientdevice 2755 stores a source version and manages root responsibility forthe content item M, indicated by the “M” label.

In FIG. 28, the server/client device 2705 moves to the second medianetwork environment 2750 and becomes a member of the hub network HN3 asa client, indicated by the “HN3” label. The server/client device 2705 isstill a client in both of the hub networks HN1 and HN2, indicated by the“HN1” and “HN2” labels. The server/client device 2705 receives asub-copy version of the content item M, indicated by the “m” label. Theserver/client device 2755 joins the hub network HN1 as a client,indicated by the “HN1” label. The server/client device 2755 receives asub-copy version for each of the content items A and B, indicated by the“a” and “b” labels.

By moving to the second media network environment 2750, theserver/client 2705 has taken the local environment for the hub networkHN1 to the second media network environment 2750. As a result, theclient device 2720 is no longer in the local environment of the hubnetwork HN1 and so the client device 2720 is disconnected from the hubnetwork HN1. Being disconnected, the client device 2720 cannot refreshthe licenses for the sub-copy versions a and b of the content items Aand B and so the expiration times for the sub-copy versions a and b willnot be reset, indicated by the “a⁻¹⁵” and “b⁻¹⁵” labels.

In addition, when the server/client device 2705 leaves the media networkenvironment 2700, the server/client device 2705 becomes disconnectedfrom the hub network HN2 because the server/client device 2705 has leftthe local environment of the hub network HN2. Being disconnected, theserver/client device 2705 cannot refresh the licenses for the sub-copyversion x of the content item X and so the expiration time for thesub-copy version x will not be reset, indicated by the “x⁻¹⁵” label.However, the server/client device 2705 has become a member of the hubnetwork HN3 and the hub network HN3 is in a different local environmentthan the hub network HN2. As discussed above, in one implementation,when a spanning device is a member of two hub networks that are indifferent local environments, the client will only present sub-copyversions from the hub network to which the device has been most recentlyconnected, in this case the hub network HN3 (and the hub network HN1because the server/client device is the server for the hub network HN1).Accordingly, the sub-copy version x for the content item X istemporarily disabled until the server/client device 2705 is againconnected to the hub network HN2, indicated by the “⁻¹⁵” label(strikethrough). In an alternative implementation, the spanning deviceclient does not temporarily disable sub-copy versions from remote hubnetworks and continues to monitor the expiration period for the sub-copyversions that are not being refreshed, as described above.

In FIG. 29, the server/client device 2705 has returned to the firstmedia network environment 2700 and connected to the server device 2715and the client device 2720, reconnecting to the hub network HN2. As aresult, the client/server device 2705 can refresh the license for thesub-copy version x and the client device 2720 can refresh the licensesfor the sub-copy versions a and b, indicated by the removal of thesuperscripts.

By the server/client device 2705 leaving the second media networkenvironment 2750, the server/client device 2705 is disconnected from thehub network HN3 and the server/client device 2755 is disconnected fromthe hub network HN1. As a result, the server/client device 2705 cannotrefresh the license for the sub-copy version m so the expiration time isnot reset and the sub-copy version m is temporarily disabled, asindicated by the “⁻¹⁵” label. The server/client device 2755 cannotrefresh the licenses for the sub-copy versions a and b so the expirationtimes are not reset, indicated by the “a⁻¹⁵”, and “b⁻¹⁵” labels.

Content Presentation

A client device presents or plays content. Some client devices includeintegrated presentation components and present content data directly.Some client devices present content data through a connected device,such as a terminal device. Some clients present content data in eitheror both ways. A storage client device presents content data stored in asub-copy on the client device or in content data streamed from theserver. A non-storage client device presents content data streamed fromthe server. Returning to FIG. 17, the dashed line from the server device1715 to the non-storage client 1725 indicates streaming content datafrom the server device 1715 to the non-storage client 1725. In oneimplementation, presented content data includes output controls tocontrol unauthorized copying (e.g., data or processing to prevent orinhibit copying of the output data). Some servers include server andclient functionality and this kind of server will present contentsimilarly to a client.

FIG. 30 shows a flowchart 3000 of one implementation of a client devicepresenting content data stored in a sub-copy version on the clientdevice. Initially, the client device is a storage client device andstores a sub-copy version of the locked content data to be presented.

The client receives a request to present the content, block 3005. Therequest is from a user and indicates an item of content. In anotherimplementation, the request is from another device or is automated.

The client confirms that the license permits presenting the sub-copyversion, block 3010. The license may change or be updated as the licenseis refreshed, so the client checks the license before presenting thesub-copy version. If the license is not current, is not valid, or isdisabled, the client will not present the sub-copy version. In oneimplementation, if the client does not have a current, valid, andenabled license, the client requests a new license from the server andthe server refers to the root license of the corresponding boundinstance. If the server declines this request (e.g., because the clientis not entitled to a new license), the client will not present thesub-copy version.

The client also confirms that the client is not on any revocation listavailable to the client, block 3015. If the client is on a revocationlist, the client will not present the sub-copy version.

After successfully confirming the license and the revocation list, theclient presents the content data of the sub-copy version, block 3020.The client presents the content of the sub-copy version by decryptingthe locked content data to generate output data and outputting theoutput data to integrated presentation components, external presentationcomponents, or a terminal device.

A compliant device presents content data from a discrete instance in asimilar way.

As noted above, a server including client functionality presents contentdata in a similar way. In another implementation, a server device and aclient device coexist on the same physical device and so the serverrelies on the resident client to present content.

FIG. 31 shows a flowchart 3100 of one implementation of streamingcontent data from a server to a client. Initially, a server creates abound instance of content and a client device is connected to theserver.

The client receives a request to present the content, block 3105. Therequest is from a user and indicates an item of content. In anotherimplementation, the request is from another device or is automated. Theclient sends a streaming request to the server managing the boundinstance indicated by the present request. In another implementation,the server receives the present request and the request also indicatesthe client device to present the content.

The server confirms that the root license permits presenting the contentdata by streaming to the indicated client, block 3110. The license maychange or be updated as the license is refreshed, so the server checksthe license before streaming the content data from the source version ofthat bound instance. If the license is not current, is not valid, or isdisabled, the server will not stream the content data. The server willnot stream the content data to clients that are not members of the hubnetwork.

The server also confirms that the client is not on a revocation listavailable to the server, block 3115. If the client is on an availablerevocation list, the server will not stream the content data.

After successfully confirming the license and revocation lists, theserver streams the content data from the source version of that boundinstance to the client, block 3120. In one implementation, the serverstreams the locked content data of the source version to the client.

As the client receives the streaming content data, the client presentsthe content data, block 3125. The client does not store the streamingcontent data (other than transiently in the process of presenting thecontent data). The client presents the content data by outputtingcontent data to integrated presentation components, externalpresentation components, or a terminal device.

In another implementation, the server encrypts the locked content data(e.g., using an encryption technique for streaming data) and streams theencrypted locked content data to the client. The client decrypts theencrypted locked content data to obtain the locked content data and thendecrypts the locked content data to obtain output data. The clientpresents the output data. In alternative implementations, differentcombinations of encryption and decryption between the server and clientcan be used. For example, the server can decrypt the locked content datato obtain output data and then encrypt the output data. The server thenstreams the encrypted output data to the client and the client decryptsthe encrypted output data.

In one implementation, a compliant device can always output data to aconnected terminal device because the terminal device will not store thereceived output data (other than transiently) and the connection andtransmission to the terminal device is reasonably secure. In oneimplementation, when a compliant device sends output data to a terminaldevice, that compliant device sends the same data to all terminaldevices receiving data from the compliant device.

In one implementation, a compliant device will stream discrete contentto another compliant device, but the receiving device will not store anyof the streamed content data (other than transiently in the process ofpresentation).

A client device will not stream content data for a sub-copy version. Inanother implementation, a storage client device will stream content datafor a sub-copy version to another member client.

Content copying and Moving

A compliant device can create a sub-copy version from a source versionor copy a sub-copy version. A compliant device can freely provide asub-copy version to another member of the hub network. A compliantdevice can provide a sub-copy version to a compliant device that is nota member of the hub network to which the bound instance is bound, butthe non-member will need to obtain a new valid license before being ableto present the content data of the sub-copy version. A compliant devicecan provide a sub-copy version to a non-compliant device, but thenon-compliant device will not be able to present the locked content dataof the sub-copy version. The non-compliant device can move the sub-copyversion to a compliant device and that compliant device will be able topresent the sub-copy version after obtaining a new valid license.

A compliant device will not copy a discrete instance (other than in theprocess of shifting the instance from discrete to bound on the hubnetwork). Similarly, a compliant device will not create a backup copy ofa discrete instance. A compliant device can make a copy of the discreteversion of the locked content data of a discrete instance (similar to asub-copy version) and provide that copy to another device, but thereceiving device will need to obtain a new valid license before beingable to present the received copy of locked content data.

A server will not move a source version and root responsibility toanother server directly. In one implementation, to move rootresponsibility from one server to another, a server converts the boundinstance to a discrete instance, moves the discrete instance to anotherserver, and the second server converts the discrete instance back to abound instance, establishing a new root. A spanning device canfacilitate the transfer of a discrete instance from one hub network toanother by allowing a server to transfer a discrete instance through thespanning device to another compliant server. In another implementation,a server moves root responsibility directly to another compliant serverthat shares a common client device.

A server will not move a source version or root responsibility to aclient (unless the client is also a server).

A compliant device can move a discrete instance using compliant media,secure transmission, or compliant recording technologies. As describedabove referring to creating a discrete instance from a bound instance,in one implementation, before moving the discrete instance to externalmedia, the compliant device confirms that the external media iscompliant media. If compliant media is not available, the compliantdevice can create a non-compliant copy on non-compliant media using anapproved recording technology. Once the compliant device has created thenon-compliant copy, the non-compliant copy will not be able to be boundagain. Accordingly, the compliant device requests confirmation beforecreating the non-compliant copy. If external compliant media is notavailable and an approved recording technology is not available, thecompliant device will not move the discrete instance to externalstorage.

Compliant devices transport sub-copy versions to other compliant devicesusing a secure transmission. In another implementation, compliantdevices can transport sub-copy versions (without licenses or keys)across non-secure connections as well. A compliant device can also usecompliant physical media to transfer a sub-copy version to anothercompliant device, subject to the restrictions described herein.

FIG. 32 shows a flowchart 3200 of one implementation of creating asub-copy version of locked content data for a member client. Initially,a server manages a bound instance of content, storing a source versionand root license for the bound instance. As discussed above, the serveruses the source version for making sub-copy versions for the hubnetwork.

The server receives a request to create a sub-copy version, block 3205.The request is from a user and indicates an item of content and a clientto receive the sub-copy version. Alternatively, the copy request doesnot indicate a destination for the new sub-copy version (e.g., the copyrequest is followed by a request to move the new sub-copy version to adestination client). In another implementation, the request is fromanother device or is automated. In another implementation, a clientreceives the copy request and passes the request to the server. In oneimplementation, the copy request indicates a target resolution. If thetarget resolution is different from the resolution of the source version(or sub-copy version being copied), a conversion can be performed usingthe source version as the highest resolution copy in the hub network (orsub-copy version being copied). In another implementation, the copyrequest indicates a target format. The server performs any transcodingas part of the copying process using the sub-copy version to be copiedor the source version. Alternatively, target resolutions and formats canbe converted and transcoded on demand by clients for presentation.

The server confirms that the license permits providing a sub-copyversion to the indicated client, block 3210. The license may change orbe updated as the license is refreshed, so the server checks the licensebefore creating the sub-copy version. If the license is not valid or isdisabled, the server will not create the sub-copy version. As describedbelow, in another implementation, the server does not confirm thelicense before making a sub-copy version. Instead, the server checks thelicense when creating a new license for the sub-copy version.

The server also confirms that the client is not on the server'srevocation list, block 3215. If the client is on the revocation list,the server will not create the sub-copy version.

After successfully confirming the license and the revocation list, theserver creates the sub-copy version, block 3220. The server creates anew sub-copy version from the source version, storing the new sub-copyversion on the server. Referring to FIG. 23, the server creates asub-copy version 2355 from a source version 2310. The server also copiesthe header information including the licensing authority information.The server does not copy the root license, the key for unlocking thelocked content data, or the revocation list of the source version. Theserver creates a new sub-copy license for the sub-copy version accordingto the root license. However, the license for a new sub-copy version isinitially disabled. To enable the license or receive a new license, therecipient client will contact the server to refresh the license andreceive a new license specific to the new sub-copy version. In oneimplementation, the server provides an enabled license with the newsub-copy version. The server provides the key for unlocking the sub-copyversion and a revocation list based on the server's revocation list whenthe server provides a license to the client.

After creating a new sub-copy version, the server moves the new sub-copyversion to the destination client, block 3225. In one implementation, tomove the new sub-copy version, the server sends another copy of the newsub-copy version and any accompanying data (e.g., license) to the clientand deletes the first new sub-copy version on the server. The clientreceives and stores the new sub-copy version. In another implementation,the server creates the new sub-copy version directly on the client, andso skips block 3225. In another implementation, the server creates andprovides the sub-copy license later in response to a request for a newlicense from the client.

In another implementation, the root license allows a limited number ofsub-copy versions to be made. In this case the server maintains a countof the number of sub-copy versions made (e.g., by counting the number oftimes sub-copy licenses have been made from the root license), storingthe copy count in the root license. If the limit has been reached, theserver will not make another sub-copy version from the source version ofthe bound instance. The copy count can be reduced by deleting ordisabling sub-copy versions in the hub network if the server is informedof the deletion or disablement.

In another implementation, a client is only allowed to have a certainnumber of licenses. When a client receives a new sub-copy version andsub-copy license (by copying or moving), the client determines if theclient's limit on licenses has been exceeded. If so, the client disablesthe license for the new sub-copy version until some other license isdisabled to bring the number of licenses below the limit again.

In one implementation, a storage client device can also make copies of asub-copy version stored on the client. In this case, the storage clientdevice makes a sub-copy version as described above for the serverreferring to FIG. 32.

In one implementation, a request to move a sub-copy version is handledin a similar way. A server or client receives the request and confirmsthat the license allows the sub-copy version to be moved to theindicated client. The server or client confirms that the indicatedclient is not on the server or client's revocation list. If theconfirmation is successful, the server or client moves the sub-copyversion and any corresponding data (e.g., license) to the indicatedclient.

In another implementation, clients can move and copy sub-copy versionswithout confirmation, but will not move or copy licenses. Similarly, aserver can create and distribute sub-copy versions without firstconfirming the root license and revocation list. In this case, serversand clients can distribute sub-copy versions to compliant andnon-compliant devices without restrictions. A non-compliant device willnot be able to present the locked content data, but can pass thesub-copy version to a compliant device. A recipient compliant devicewill obtain a license (e.g., as indicated by licensing authorityinformation in the header of the sub-copy version) before being able topresent the locked content data of the sub-copy version. In anotherimplementation, a client can move a copy of a license to provide thelicense to a disconnected member client.

When a server or client provides a sub-copy version to a compliantdevice that is not a member of the hub network, the server or clientdoes not provide a valid license with the sub-copy version. Therecipient later obtains a valid license using the licensing authorityinformation stored in the sub-copy version. In this way, a compliantdevice can distribute a sub-copy version to other hub networks.

In an alternative implementation, a local environment is defined inabsolute terms, such as a 100 meter radius circle with the center at adefined geographical point. For example, media may be restricted tobeing used at a particular physical location, such as confidentialdocuments being limited to a specific building. As discussed above, whena device leaves the local environment, the device is disconnected fromthe hub network (though the device may still be a member). In this case,a server could be disconnected from its own hub network, and so none ofthe devices would be able to refresh the licenses for that hub networkwhile the server was disconnected, including the server. In anotheralternative implementation, hub networks are not restricted by localenvironment. In this case, a device is unable to refresh a license whenthe device is unable to communicate with the server (e.g., the physicalor network connection is broken).

The various implementations of the invention are realized in electronichardware, computer software, or combinations of these technologies. Mostimplementations include one or more computer programs executed by aprogrammable computer. For example, referring to FIG. 17, in oneimplementation, each of the server/client device 1705, the server device1715, the storage client device 1720, and the non-storage client device1725 includes one or more computers executing software implementing theclient and server operations discussed above. In general, each computerincludes one or more processors, one or more data-storage components(e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory modules and persistent opticaland magnetic storage devices, such as hard and floppy disk drives,CD-ROM drives, and magnetic tape drives), one or more input devices(e.g., mice and keyboards), and one or more output devices (e.g.,display consoles and printers). In some implementations, the computersare included within consumer electronic devices.

The computer programs include executable code that is usually stored ina persistent storage medium and then copied into memory at run-time. Theprocessor executes the code by retrieving program instructions frommemory in a prescribed order. When executing the program code, thecomputer receives data from the input and/or storage devices, performsoperations on the data, and then delivers the resulting data to theoutput and/or storage devices.

Various illustrative implementations of the present invention have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will see thatadditional implementations are also possible and within the scope of thepresent invention. Some implementations include less than all of and/orvariations of the aspects described above. For example, while the abovedescription focuses on implementations using copies of content describedas audio and/or video data, the copies can be of other types of data aswell, such as numerical data or executable software code.

Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to only thoseimplementations described above.

1. A method of presenting content data, comprising: receiving at aserver device a present request indicating locked content data from aclient connected to a hub network, wherein the server device isconfigured to set up the hub network including adding the client and theserver device to the hub network, wherein the server device isconfigured to function as a client in the hub network, and wherein saidlocked content data is stored on the server device connected to the hubnetwork; checking a license corresponding to said locked content data todetermine if said license permits said client to present said lockedcontent data, wherein said locked content data is a bound instance ifsaid license permits presentation of said locked content data by saidclient connected to the hub network, wherein the bound instance of saidlocked content data and the license corresponding to said locked contentdata are bound to the hub network, and wherein said locked content datais changed to a discrete instance when said locked content data is to bemoved to another server device bound to another hub network, the serverdevice sends a disable request for the locked content data to clients ofthe hub network to indicate that the bound instance of the lockedcontent data is changed to the discrete instance, and wherein thedisable request causes the license corresponding to the locked contentdata to be disabled; and presenting said locked content data through apresentation component connected to said client when said locked contentdata is a bound instance.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: said lockedcontent data and said license corresponding to said locked content dataare stored on the server device.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein:presenting said locked content data includes decrypting:said lockedcontent data to produce output content data and sending said outputcontent data to said presentation component.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein: checking said license includes sending a confirm licenserequest to the server device from said client.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein: presenting said locked content data includes receiving outputcontent data streamed from said server device to said client.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, further comprising: checking a revocation list todetermine whether said client is included in said revocation list;wherein said revocation list indicates devices for which the license hasbeen revoked, and wherein said revocation list is stored on said serverdevice.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: checking arevocation list to determine whether said client is included in saidrevocation list; wherein said revocation list indicates devices forwhich the license has been revoked, and wherein said revocation list isstored on said client.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein: said lockedcontent data is media data.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein: saidpresentation component is integral to said client.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: said presentation component is external to saidclient.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein: said presentation componentincludes a television.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein: saidpresentation component includes an audio speaker system.
 13. A method ofpresenting content data, comprising: receiving at a server connected toa hub network a present request indicating locked content data andindicating to a client connected to said hub network to present thecontent data, wherein the server is configured to set up the hub networkincluding adding the client and the server to the hub network, whereinthe server is configured to function as a client in the hub network, andwherein said locked content data is stored on the server connected tothe hub network; checking a license corresponding to said locked contentdata to determine if said license permits said server to present saidlocked content data through said client, wherein said locked contentdata is a bound instance if said license permits presentation of saidlocked content data by said server through said client connected to thehub network, wherein the bound instance of said locked content data andthe license corresponding to said locked content data are bound to thehub network, and wherein said locked content data is changed to adiscrete instance when said locked content data is to be moved toanother server bound to another hub network, the server device sends adisable request for the locked content data to clients of the hubnetwork to indicate that the bound instance of the locked content datais changed to the discrete instance, and wherein the disable requestcauses the license corresponding to the locked content data to bedisabled; and presenting said locked content data by streaming data tosaid client when said locked content data is a bound instance.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein: streaming data to said client includesstreaming locked content data to said client.
 15. The method of claim13, further comprising: decrypting said locked content data.
 16. Themethod of claim 13, wherein: said present request is received from saidclient.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising: checking arevocation list to determine whether said client is included in saidrevocation list; wherein said revocation list indicates devices forwhich the license has been revoked, and wherein said revocation list isstored on said server.
 18. A method of copying content data, comprising:receiving in a hub network a copy request indicating locked contentdata, wherein the hub network includes a server configured to set up thehub network including adding the client and the server to the hubnetwork, and wherein the server is configured to function as a client inthe hub network and wherein said locked content data is stored on theserver; and copying said locked content data to produce a copy of saidlocked content data when said locked content data is a bound instancewith a corresponding license that is bound to said hub network; whereinthe bound instance of said locked content data and the licensecorresponding to said locked content data are bound to the hub network,and wherein said locked content data is changed to a discrete instancewhen said locked content data is to be moved to another server bound toanother hub network, the server device sends a disable request for thelocked content data to clients of the hub network to indicate that thebound instance of the locked content data is changed to the discreteinstance, and wherein the disable request causes the licensecorresponding to the locked content data to be disabled.
 19. The methodof claim 18, further comprising: checking said license to determine ifsaid license permits said locked content data to be copied.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising: requesting a new license fromthe server for said copy of said locked content data; wherein saidserver is in said hub network and connected to said client.
 21. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising: sending said copy of said lockedcontent data to a device that is not a member of said hub network. 22.The method of claim 18, further comprising: sending said copy of saidlocked content data to a client that is a member of said hub network butis not connected to said hub network.
 23. The method of claim 18,further comprising: sending a new license to a client that is a memberof said hub network but is not connected to said hub network.
 24. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising: checking a revocation list todetermine whether said client is included in said revocation list;wherein said revocation list indicates devices for which the license hasbeen revoked, and wherein said revocation list is stored on said client.25. A method of distributing content data, comprising: receiving from aproviding device connected to a hub network, and at a receiving device acopy of locked content data that is a bound instance bound to said hubnetwork, wherein the providing device is configured to set up the hubnetwork including adding the receiving device and the providing deviceto the hub network, wherein the providing device is configured tofunction as a receiving device in the hub network, and wherein saidlocked content data is stored on the providing device connected to thehub network; requesting a new license for said copy of locked contentdata; and receiving said new license for said copy of locked contentdata of the bound instance bound to said hub network, wherein the boundinstance of said copy of locked content data and the new licensecorresponding to said copy of locked content data are bound to the hubnetwork, and wherein said locked content data is changed to a discreteinstance when said locked content data is to be moved to another serverbound to another hub network, the server device sends a disable requestfor the locked content data to clients of the hub network to indicatethat the bound instance of the locked content data is changed to thediscrete instance, and wherein the disable request causes the licensecorresponding to the locked content data to be disabled.
 26. The methodof claim 25, wherein: said providing device is a client in said hubnetwork.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein: said providing device is aserver in said hub network.
 28. The method of claim 25, wherein: saidnew license is received from said client.
 29. The method of claim 25,wherein: said new license is received from a server in said hub network.30. The method of claim 25, wherein: said new license is received froman external server that is not in said hub network.
 31. The method ofclaim 25, wherein: said copy of locked content data has correspondinglicensing authority information stored on said providing device, andsaid new license is received from a licensing authority indicated bysaid licensing authority information.
 32. The method of claim 25,wherein: said receiving device is not a member of said hub network. 33.The method of claim 25, wherein: said receiving device is a member of asecond hub network, and said new license of said copy of locked contentdata is bound to said second hub network but not to said hub network.34. The method of claim 25, wherein: said receiving device is notconnected to said hub network.
 35. The method of claim 25, furthercomprising: checking a revocation list to determine whether saidreceiving device is included in said revocation list; wherein saidrevocation list indicates devices for which the license has beenrevoked, and wherein said revocation list is stored on said receivingdevice.
 36. A method of distributing content data, comprising: receivingat a server connected to a hub network, and from a device a request fora new license for a copy of locked content data that is a bound instancebound to said hub network, wherein the server is configured to set upthe hub network including adding the client and the server to the hubnetwork, wherein the server is configured to function as a client in thehub network, and wherein said locked content data is stored on theserver connected to the hub network; checking a root license stored onsaid server to determine if said root license permits said server toprovide a new license for said copy of locked content data of the boundinstance; and creating said new license according to said, root license;sending said new license to said device, wherein said new license forsaid copy of locked content data of the bound instance is bound to saidhub network, wherein the bound instance of said copy of locked contentdata and the new license are bound to the hub network, and wherein saidlocked content data is changed to a discrete instance when said lockedcontent data is to be moved to another server bound to another hubnetwork, the server device sends a disable request for the lockedcontent data to clients of the hub network to indicate that the boundinstance of the locked content data is changed to the discrete instance,and wherein the disable request causes the license corresponding to thelocked content data to be disabled.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein:said device is not connected to said hub network.
 38. The method ofclaim 36, further comprising: checking a revocation list to determinewhether said device is included in said revocation list; wherein saidrevocation list indicates devices for which the license has beenrevoked, and wherein said revocation list is stored on said server.